The first-round matchup between the Washington Capitals and the Florida Panthers heads to Game 3 with the series tied 1-1 as we look at the moneyline, over/under, and player props for this game.
Washington Capitals (+155) vs Florida Panthers (-190)
The Panthers stormed into Game 2 at home with a big performance against the Capitals to prove to themselves and everyone they can play playoff hockey. They were undefeated holding a lead heading into the third period in the regular season but blew it in Game 1. They didn’t let off the gas in Game 2 and topped the Capitals 5-1.
The series shifts to Washington where the Capitals don’t have an advantage. They finished 19-16-6 at home, while the Panthers went 24-11-6 on the road. The Panthers are also the highest-scoring team in the NHL and the top team. The Panthers should even be more favoured in this one as their goal-scoring will likely overpower the Capitals once again. Only two players on Washington even have two points; the rest have fewer than that. Look for Jonathan Huberdeau to break out of his playoff slump and contribute offensively this game, forcing Game 3 to hit the over (O6.5, -130). Meanwhile, the Panthers should have this game in the bag and go up in the series since their depth is much better than the Capitals.
Player Props
Carter Verhaeghe – Points (Over 0.5, +100)
Carter Verhaeghe has been the most productive offensive player for the Panthers thus far in the first two games of the series and is the only player on either team with three points. He has gotten points in both games and is playing on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Anthony Duclair.
Verhaeghe is playing less than he normally does but is making the most of it. This season has been the most productive of his three and the Capitals’ goaltending doesn’t put any doubt in the Panthers. They broke through last game and I expect the offence to continue into Game 3. Verhaeghe has been in on the scoring and there’s no reason to think that won’t continue.
T.J. Oshie – Points (Over 0.5, -105)
T.J. Oshie only has one goal in the series but has probably been the Capitals’ best player. He is playing alongside Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson and it forms a solid second line. If the Capitals are going to get on the scoresheet, it will probably come from one of the top two lines.
Backstrom already has two points and will be looking to set up Oshie. He was injured for 38 games this season but has been solid this season at times. He didn’t end the regular season with a ton of points but has shown he can score in the playoffs with Washington with 53 points in 67 games.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
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